In Islam, the concept of sacrifice extends far beyond the ritual slaughter of an animal every year during Eid al-Adha. It encompasses a broader spiritual, moral, and social dimension that reflects submission to Allah, selflessness, and devotion to the greater good of mankind.
In this article, we will take a deeper dive into the concept of sacrifice in Islam. Then, we will discuss some of the most important types of sacrifice that go beyond the ritual of slaughter. So let’s start this discovery of the true meaning of sacrifice from an Islamic point of view.
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The Concept Of Sacrifice In Islam
In Islam, sacrifice is a holistic commitment to Allah that transcends rituals. It is about surrendering what one cherishes—ego, wealth, time, desires, or even life—for divine pleasure, communal good, and Paradise in the hereafter. The ritual of slaughter during Eid al-Adha is just a symbolic reminder of this deeper, perpetual duty. Below are some types of sacrifice in Islam.
Types Of Sacrifice In Islam
Each type of sacrifice in the Islamic theology serves as a means of drawing closer to Allah, purifying the soul, and benefiting society. Together, they form a comprehensive framework of devotion that goes beyond mere ritual, shaping a Muslim’s entire way of life. These types of sacrifice include the following:
1- Sacrifice Of The Loved Ones To Fulfill Allah’s Command:
This is the most well-known event upon which the yearly sacrifice of Eid al-Adha is established. The essence of sacrifice in Islam is rooted in total submission (Islam) to Allah, exemplified here by Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham) willingness to obey Allah’s command to sacrifice his only son Ismaeel (Ishmael) as an act of obedience.
Allah describes the event in the Quran:
“… they submitted ˹to Allah’s Will˺, and Abraham laid him on the side of his forehead ˹for sacrifice˺…” (the Quran, 37:103). Allah has described it as “truly a revealing test”. After Prophet Ibrahim fulfilled the test, Allah blessed him and his offspring among later generations and described him as “… truly one of Our faithful servants” (the Quran, 37:111).
2- Selflessness And Complete Acceptance Of Allah’s Wish:
Unlike the biblical narration—where Prophet Abraham deceived his son into believing they would sacrifice a lamb, and the boy only discovered the truth when his father held the knife to his neck (Genesis 22)—the Quran emphasizes that Ismaeel did know he would be slaughtered by his father to fulfill Allah’s command.
In this regard, Allah says in the Quran:
“فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ ٱلسَّعْىَ قَالَ يَـٰبُنَىَّ إِنِّىٓ أَرَىٰ فِى ٱلْمَنَامِ أَنِّىٓ أَذْبَحُكَ فَٱنظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَىٰ ۚ قَالَ يَـٰٓأَبَتِ ٱفْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ ۖ سَتَجِدُنِىٓ إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ”
(Then when the boy reached the age to work with him, Abraham said, “O my dear son! I have seen in a dream that I ˹must˺ sacrifice you. So tell me what you think.” He replied, “O my dear father! Do as you are commanded. Allah willing, you will find me steadfast.”)
This is the kind of self-denial and surrender to Allah’s will that clearly shows that both the father and the son submitted their will to Allah. Ismaeel never questioned why. He just obeyed. That’s why Allah blessed him and made him a prophet like his father.
3- Sacrifice Of Home And Family For Allah:
Allah commanded Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) to take his wife, Hajar, and their infant son, Ismaeel, to the barren valley of Mecca (which was then an uninhabited desert) and leave them there. This was a test of faith for both Ibrahim and Hajar.
Ibrahim took Hajar and Ismaeel to the desert and left them with only some dates and a small amount of water. As he walked away, Hajar called out: “O Abraham! Where are you going, leaving us in this valley where there is no person whose company we may enjoy, nor is there anything (to enjoy)?” She repeated that to him many times, but he did not look back at her. Then, she asked him: “Has Allah ordered you to do so?” He said, “Yes.” She said: “Then He will not neglect us.”
4- Sacrifice Of One’s Ego:
Hajj is also a sign of sacrificing one’s ego. Wearing the simple, unstitched Ihram garments during Hajj is a powerful symbol of sacrificing one’s ego and embracing humility before Allah. The two plain white sheets that men are ordered to put on during Hajj erase all markers of wealth, nationality, and social rank, where a king and a laborer stand side by side, indistinguishable.
In addition, forgiving others and sacrificing personal grudges for harmony are acts rewarded by Allah. Also, being kind to kin, even if they mistreat you, is another explicit example of a Muslim’s sacrifice of their ego for Allah to strengthen family ties. This act is dear to Allah as it is a sign of controlling anger, avoiding revenge, and maintaining family ties.
5- Sacrifice Of One’s Social Status:
In Islam, true sacrifice involves sacrificing one’s status in society for Allah’s pleasure. That’s exactly what Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) did. His courage showed his willingness to sacrifice social standing for truth.
Despite Ibrahim being born into a polytheistic society where his father (Azar) was an idol-maker, he openly rejected idolatry, risking alienation. His people mocked him for rejecting their gods, calling him insane (the Quran, 21:60-65). He endured ridicule without pride or retaliation. His calmness in crisis reflected zero ego and care for social status.
6- Sacrifice Of One’s Life:
Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) even almost sacrificed his life for Allah. When he rejected the idols and called for worshipping Allah as the only true God, he was thrown into a huge fire by his people. However, he relied solely on Allah, who saved him (the Quran, 21:68-70).
7- Sacrifice of One’s Desires:
Islam came to preserve human life and dignity. That’s why unjustified killing, torturing, alcohol and drugs, fornication and homosexuality, usury, gambling, stealing, etc., all of these acts are forbidden in Islam.
So to be a good Muslim, you need to refrain from all of these evil desires. This sacrifice ensures the well-being of individuals and society as a whole.
8- Sacrifice Of Time And Effort:
Sacrificing time and effort for worship (e.g., night prayers, Quran study, etc.), serving others, or seeking knowledge is also highly valued in Islam. Performing Hajj in itself is a manifestation of Muslims’ sacrifice of time and effort to fulfill one of the Pillars of Islam.
9- Sacrificing For Societal Benefit, Even In War:
Islam emphasizes sacrificing for societal benefit, such as feeding the hungry, caring for orphans, or advocating for justice. Many verses in the Quran advocate for treating others with kindness and standing up against oppression. This applies even to war captives.
How Does Islam Teach Muslims To Treat Their Captives?
Here is how:
“وَيُطْعِمُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ مِسْكِينًۭا وَيَتِيمًۭا وَأَسِيرًا”
[and give food—despite their desire for it—to the poor, the orphan, and the captive]
In this verse, Allah commands Muslims to feed the poor, the orphan, and their captives, even if they need that food or desire it.
10- Sacrifice Of Comfort For Faith:
Many Prophets and early Muslims sacrificed safety, family ties, and worldly comforts to uphold faith. Even small daily deeds—like waking up for Fajr, fasting in heat, or speaking truth despite consequences—are forms of ongoing sacrifice that are highly rewarded in Islam.
11- Physical And Spiritual Sacrifice:
Enduring hardship and personal pain with patience (Sabr) is another form of sacrifice in Islam. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
.“مَا يُصِيبُ الْمُسْلِمَ مِنْ نَصَبٍ وَلَا وَصَبٍ وَلَا هَمٍّ وَلَا حُزْنٍ وَلَا أَذًى وَلَا غَمٍّ حَتَّى الشَّوْكَةُ يُشَاكُهَا إِلَّا كَفَّرَ اللَّهُ بهَا من خطاياه”
“No Muslim is afflicted by difficulty, continuous pain, anxiety, grief, injury, or care, or even by a thorn with which he is pierced, without God thereby making an atonement for his sins.”
This hadith lists various forms of hardship—physical (pain, injury, a thorn prick), emotional (anxiety, grief), and ongoing struggles (continuous pain, care/worries). Here, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) makes it clear that Allah does not let any hardship a believer endures go to waste.
12- Migrating (Hijrah) From Oppression For The Sake Of Faith:
The migration (Hijrah) of the early Muslims (Muhajireen) from Mecca to Medina stands out in history as a unique and divinely blessed movement—one rooted in love, sacrifice, and brotherhood—unlike any other migration before or since. This was due to two main factors:
A- Submission Of The Early Muslims In Mecca To Allah’s Command:
Faced with brutal oppression, torture, and economic boycotts from the Quraysh tribe for accepting Islam, the early Muslims in Mecca were ordered by Allah to migrate to Yathrib (later named Medina), and they obeyed.
B- The Unprecedented Welcome By The Ansaar (Helpers Of Medina):
When the Muhajireen arrived in Medina, the Ansaar who lived there, despite their limited resources, opened their homes, wealth, and hearts to their brothers and sisters in faith.
In the Quran, Allah Almighty praised both Muhajireen and Ansaar for their sacrifices.
This is evident in the following 2 verses:
“لِلْفُقَرَآءِ ٱلْمُهَـٰجِرِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُخْرِجُوا۟ مِن دِيَـٰرِهِمْ وَأَمْوَٰلِهِمْ يَبْتَغُونَ فَضْلًۭا مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرِضْوَٰنًۭا وَيَنصُرُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥٓ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلصَّـٰدِقُونَ *
وَٱلَّذِينَ تَبَوَّءُو ٱلدَّارَ وَٱلْإِيمَـٰنَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ يُحِبُّونَ مَنْ هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَا يَجِدُونَ فِى صُدُورِهِمْ حَاجَةًۭ مِّمَّآ أُوتُوا۟ وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ بِهِمْ خَصَاصَةٌۭ ۚ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِۦ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ”
(…poor emigrants who were driven out of their homes and wealth, seeking Allah’s bounty and pleasure, and standing up for Allah and His Messenger… * As for those who had settled in the city …, they love whoever immigrates to them, never having a desire in their hearts for whatever ˹of the gains˺ is given to the emigrants …)
Here, Allah declares that those who leave their homes and wealth for Allah were “the ones true in faith” and those who welcomed them were “˹truly˺ successful”.
13- Financial Sacrifice (Sadaqah):
This kind of sacrifice includes spending money on charity, supporting the needy, and funding community welfare. It also includes Zakat (obligatory charity) and voluntary donations (Sadaqah). These are all types of sacrificing parts of one’s wealth for Allah.
14- Jihad As A Prominent Element Of Sacrifice In Islam:
The word “Jihad” has two meanings in the Islamic methodology:
A- Struggling In The Path Of Truth:
This can be accomplished through, to name but a few, speaking against oppression, aiding the vulnerable, seeking knowledge, defending truth, serving humanity, etc. It is a great form of sacrifice in Islam.
B- Giving One’s Life In Martyrdom For Truth And Justice:
In this regard, Allah says in the Quran:
“يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ هَلْ أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَىٰ تِجَـٰرَةٍۢ تُنجِيكُم مِّنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍۢ * تُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَتُجَـٰهِدُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ بِأَمْوَٰلِكُمْ وَأَنفُسِكُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌۭ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ”
(O believers! Shall I guide you to an exchange that will save you from a painful punishment?*˹It is to˺ have faith in Allah and His Messenger, and strive in the cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives. That is best for you, if only you knew.)
In these two verses, Allah confirms that striving in the cause of Allah with money and life is the best act that any Muslim can ever do.
How To Make Eid Al Adha A Season Of Spiritual Sacrifice And Detachment From Dunya?
Eid Al Adha is a time to train our hearts in sacrifice, gratitude, and detachment from worldly distractions. Here’s how to transform this Eid into a deeply spiritual experience:
1. Reconnect With The Story Of Prophet Ibrahim (Peace Be Upon Him) And His Family:
Reflect deeply on Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismaeel’s submission to Allah’s will, and Hajar’s trust in Allah; and ask yourself what would you do if you were put to that kind of test.
2- Make The Sacrifice (Odhiya) A Spiritual Act, Not Just Ritual:
Here are some points to consider:
- Intention Matters: Before slaughtering, renew your niyyah: You can tell yourself things like: “This is not just meat—it’s a symbol of my surrender to Allah.”
- Give More Than Required: Go beyond the minimum. If possible, donate extra to poor Muslims in your neighborhood.
- Avoid Waste: Do not eat too much. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“A human being fills no worse vessel than his stomach. It is sufficient for a human being to eat a few mouthfuls to keep his spine straight.“
3. Detach From Dunya Through Minimalism:
Below are some steps to try to do:
- Simplify Celebrations: Avoid extravagance in clothes, food, or decorations. Keep it simple.
- Digital Detox: Reduce social media scrolling. Replace it with dhikr or Quran.
- Avoid Showing Off: Don’t post Odhyia photos online. Do it sincerely.
4. Revive The Sunnah Of Takbeer and Dhikr:
- From the 1st of Dhul-Hijjah until the last day of Eid Al Adha, recite the Takbeerat of Eid:
“اللهُ أكبرُ اللهُ أكبرُ، لا إلهَ إلَّا الله، واللهُ أكبر اللهُ أكبر، ولله الحَمد”
“Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallah, Wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa Lillahil-Hamd.”
- Fill your days with dhikr like istighfar (saying: أستغفر الله) and praising Allah (saying: الحمد لله).
5. Fast The Day Of Arafah:
If not performing Hajj, fast the day of Arafah (the 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah) and make intense duaa—especially during the last hour of Asr (when Allah frees souls from Hell).
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Fast the Day of Arafah, for indeed I anticipate that Allah will forgive (the sins) of the year after it, and the year before it.”
6. Train Yourself in Sacrifice Beyond Odhiya:
You can try to do some or all of the following:
- Give Up a Dunya Habit: Quit a sin (gossip, music, wasting time) for Allah’s sake.
- Sacrifice Sleep for Tahajjud on Eid night.
- Forgive and Reconcile: Let go of grudge and hatred—true sacrifice is dropping ego.
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Conclusion
To sum up, Islam redefines sacrifice not merely as a physical act of slaughtering an animal, but as a holistic surrender to Allah’s will. From the unwavering submission of Prophet Ibrahim and Ismaeel to the Hijrah of the early Muslims, from the patience of Hajar in the desert to the modern believer resisting temptations—Islam teaches that every struggle endured for Allah’s sake becomes a means of purification and elevation.
